The historical boundaries of Park Slope swelled for the first time in 39 years today, when the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve an expansion of the neighborhood's Historic District, making it one of the largest historic districts in America. Owners of 580 buildings will see their property values rise, in a new zone stretching from approximately 7th Street to 15th Street (including the 7th Avenue frontage), 7th Avenue to 8th Avenue, and along 15th Street from 8th Avenue to Prospect Park West, including the western side of Bartel Pritchard Square—all the way to 16th Street. See the map below. more ›

After years of criticism that rivaled the reviews of Godsend, Robert De Niro appeared in front of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to present revised renderings for a controversial two-story penthouse at the Greenwich Hotel in TriBeCa. The Observer was on the scene, noting that when De Niro and son, a real estate broker, entered, "with preservation consultants, land-use attorneys and architects in tow, three paparazzi sprang into action, as well as half-a-dozen reporters with point-and-shoot cameras. It was a rare event for the ninth floor of One Centre Street." more ›

It looked like a landmark hearing, it smelled like landmark hearing, and for the first few minutes, it even sounded like a landmark hearing. But this discussion wasn't really about whether 45-47 Park Place should be a landmark, and, as expected, the hearing quickly degenerated into something much more familiar—an impassioned protest against the mosque and community center that would replace 45-47 if it's not declared a landmark. To set the tone, cries of "you're full of it," "liar," and "murderer" were thrown at Sharif El-Gamal, who owns the property and wants to build the mosque, when he stated, "I care a lot about our future as a city," more ›

The Landmark Preservation Commission is making an example out of one Upper West Side homeowner. The 19th-century Queen Anne-style mansion at 12-14 West 68th Street is in an area that was landmarked in 1990, but sometime in 2005 the owner at the time, Polly Cleveland, received a permit from the Buildings Department to add one floor to the five-story structure. This was completed in 2007, but Cleveland has since moved out. Arthur Minerof is the current owner, and he's now been told the sixth floor has to be torn down. more ›

Does the Landmarks Preservation Commission have a brownstone bias? Earlier this year the group revealed that they would be focusing their efforts on Park Slope while delaying landmark status designations in Ditmas Park and Beverly Square West. One Ditmas resident says, "The [LPC] has limited resources, but it shouldn't be to the exclusion of the Victorian neighborhoods. If it's worthy, they should fund it and do it." more ›

We've spent a good chunk of time writing about illegal advertisements, but few have been as large — or caused as much fury — as this billboard in the West Village. Ever since the Equinox Health Club wrapped its Greenwich Avenue building with seemingly illegal ads, preservationists have been up in arms, according to Curbed. more ›

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 9-1 yesterday to approve St Vincent's controversial plans to build a 203-foot-tall, 16-story condo (right) on the east side of Seventh Avenue, between West 11th and West 12th Streets, in the Greenwich Village historic district. It's a big win for St. Vincent's over community outcry about the project's scale, and the hospital is counting on the condo deal to help fund the $830 million, 286-foot-tall medical building that will replace the doomed landmark O'Toole building. But in a concession to the commission, St Vincent's and partner Rudin Management agreed to shrink the condo 15 feet, so now the local gadflies have nothing to complain about! Oh, except for Andrew Berman at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation; he tells City Room, "It’s certainly not over." So maybe we'll get some more celebrity outrage? The plan to raze the sawtooth O'Toole building still faces a legal challenge, and the entire $1.63 billion project also needs approval from he City Council and the City Planning Commission. more ›

Brooklyn, you are thisclose to gaining access to Bacon Cheddar Roastburgers™, Bronco Berry Dipping Sauce®, and other assorted food stuffs that will lead to your eventual heart attack. That's right, Arby's is officially opening after many obstacles in setting up shop at the landmarked 372 Fulton Street space. The Brooklyn Paper reports that the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 7-1 in support of the newly revised Arby's design plan, even if it does include a giant menu board they aren't so thrilled with. The LPC's Roberta Washington stated, “The sign is the one thing that prevents this proposal from being fantastic.” However, project architects countered, declaring that "some kind of large menu board is necessary because Arby’s diners are accustomed to ordering from wall-mounted menu boards." C'mon Arby's customers, class it up a little! In the meantime, look for a late summer opening. more ›

What is it about dilapidated hospitals that are make them so beautiful? Today the Kingston Lounge's Richard Nickel, Jr. posted photos from a trip to one within the Fort Totten landmark district near Bayside, Queens. A little history lesson: "Built in 1864, the year in which the primary purpose of the Fort shifted from defense of the mouth of the East River to casualty support and hospital care, the facility served the Army in various capacities until 1974, when it was emptied and abandoned. Sometime before 1920 a cafeteria annex was added to the rear of the structure; at some point prior to abandonment, the hospital appears to have been repurposed for office and administrative use, and the basement for storage." more ›

Adolfo Carrión Jr., the Bronx borough president who was recently appointed Urban Policy Director in the Obama administration, is one of many who are urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to declare that Rincón Criollo and other South Bronx casitas are city landmarks. more ›

In its second article in a series about the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the NY Times examines the "legal loophole" that developers take advantage of: Once they learn their building might be up for landmark status, developers often "[rush] to obtain a demolition or stripping permit from the... Department of Buildings so that notable qualities can be removed, rendering the structure unworthy of protection." This is what happened in 2006, when the cornices of the 19th century Dakota Stables were removed; the LPC didn't landmark it since it was "irreparably changed"-- now you have luxury condo The Harrison. There are proposed City Council bills to prevent builders from similar action, but some think there should be better communication between the DOB and LPC. One LPC commissioner says, "When a property owner goes to the buildings department for a permit to strip, it should be a red flag." more ›

The NY Times begins a series on the Landmarks Preservation Commission's workings. The Times finds an "overtaxed agency that has taken years to act on some proposed designations, even as soaring development pressures put historic buildings at risk." While the LPC says necessary work to research requests cannot be put under deadlines, there is the proposal to enlarge the Park Slope historic district that has been lingering for 7 years. (A judge ordered the LPC to work faster, since letting proposals "languish is to defeat the very purpose of the L.P.C. and invite the loss of irreplaceable landmarks.") Many preservationists chime in about LPC Commissioner Robert Tierney--one says, "He’s a guy who’s had no demonstrable interest in historic preservation, who has the most important preservation job in New York City." more ›

The South Street Seaport redevelopment plan proposed by General Growth Properties and SHoP Architects has been panned by the community since day one, though favored by the Bloomberg administration. Curbed reports the Landmarks Preservation Commission "slapped the proposal around like an abusive drunk stepfather. The massing, scale and height of the new buildings (especially that 42-story condo/hotel on the waterfront) were deemed inappropriate for the Seaport Historic District, and the LPC was also against moving the century-old Tin Building to the end of Pier 17." There was no vote, so the application is still considered active, and the GGP declared they were "undeterred," and "remain committed to our plan to revitalize the seaport district, add necessary amenities and open space, and respect the unique historical character of this cherished neighborhood." more ›

The NY Post reports on the Landmarks Preservation Commission pushing for the approval of over 1,000 historic designations while Bloomberg is still in office. "The number of proposed designations includes a planned new historic district in Prospect Heights with 860 of the buildings," and there are also buildings and homes in Chelsea, Ridgewood and Bed-Stuy (Alice and Agate Courts) seeking a longer lease on life. Bloomberg has 18 months left, but to put the 1K number in perspective -- last year only 369 buildings were approved (however, during Giuliani's reign only around 200 a year were approved). Curbed wonders "which neighborhoods or buildings don't make the cut before the clock runs out." more ›

One of the last Dutch farmhouses in the city, the Hubbard House, currently stands in at 2138 McDonald Ave in Brooklyn, but could soon be a thing of the past if it follows in the footsteps of the farmhouses before it. The Brooklyn Eagle reports that the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will meet next Tuesday to hear out owner John Antonides's case, one that he has been voicing for the past 10 years. more ›

If you are one of the 700,000 people who pass through Grand Central Terminal every day there are things that you may take for granted or just may not know about the great train station. Thanks to Metro-North's Dan Brucker, Gothamist can reveal some of them to you. more ›

A landmark Tottenville home that caused a bitter fight between its owner and neighbors has entered a new stage of its existence: foreclosure proceedings. The Staten Island Advance reports John Grossi, who bought the 1869 Bedell House in hopes of razing it to build townhouses, is happy to let the bank have the building, "I won't put another dime into the property." more ›

The fate of McCarren Park Pool turned around after being landmarked and given a $50 million gift from Bloomberg, yet its future look is still up in the air. Following the February 4th meeting, last night another Community Board meeting was held to discuss The Pool. This time architects Rogers Marvel and The Parks Department were on hand to present conceptual plans. Curbed has the reveal, but they note the renderings are merely "draft images and, of course, the redesign has to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission." more ›

Later today, the city will discuss whether the I.M. Pei-designed Silver Towers should be landmarked. The Observer reported that NYU announced its support today, a reversal from an earlier position over three years ago. more ›

Michael Lappin, CEO of the managing company for what is being called the "New Domino", responded yesterday to our questions about the proposed project via email.

The iconic Domino Sugar sign is not included in these renderings. [We photoshopped it back in, above.] Is there any plan to preserve that somewhere at the site? We are making every effort to save the sign. We are looking at different engineering solutions regarding the “where and how.” It’s a complex problem.

Well, candy is in the mouth of the beholder, but here are the actual renderings. As noted yesterday, the proposals for the new residential and retail complex at the Domino Refinery will be presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission at a public hearing today at 2pm at the Municipal Building (1 Centre Street), 9th Floor North. Brownstoner posted snapshots of the renderings taken last week at a community board meeting, as well as floor plans for the modified refinery, which would feature five floors of residential units on the roof. more ›

More detailed images of the proposed development at the landmarked Domino Refinery in south Williamsburg have emerged; the biggest news is that developers plan to build a five-story glass addition on top of the Filter House (above), the tallest structure at the refinery, which has been closed since 2004. According to plans revealed by architects Beyer Blinder Belle, the modified refinery would have 1,550 underground parking spaces, 30,000 square feet of retail space, an interior courtyard and “community facilities” on several floors. more ›

A building that formerly housed the Jamaica Savings Bank is total landmark bait. It was even called "the finest Beaux-Arts building in Queens" by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. But now the building's current owner may stand in the way of the third attempt to landmark the building. more ›

Everyone is buzzing about the Brooklyn Bridge Park development today. The latest is that the project (which has been stalled time and time again) could begin next month as a wrecking ball tears down a piece of the area's history. The Daily News reports:

If approved today, the $18 million construction phase would include the demolition of the historic Purchase Building [pictured] and the removal of portions of five piers, officials said. more ›

It's official. Today the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate DUMBO a historic district, pending City Council approval. more ›

This past September, preservationists won a major victory when the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to give parts of the massive old Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg landmark status. Three of the buildings at the site will be preserved and renovated for residential use, including some affordable housing. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a woman fell from a building at 35th St. and 5th Ave. in Manhattan, a body part was found on 20th Rd. and 18th St. in Queens, and a pedestrian was fatally struck at 50th St. and 6th Ave. in Brooklyn.
• Architects may lose the 408 foot spire that tops off the Freedom Tower because giant antennas may be technologically obsolete. An alliance of broadcasters are considering moving to a different technology and therefore not pay rent to a downtown mega-building.
• The FBI warned Al Sharpton that an inmate at an upstate prison may attempt to harm him via the mail. The inmate has sent several letters already containing a harmless powder, but the Feds want people at his office to err on the side of caution when handling packages and letters.
• The Landmarks Preservation Commission determined that the renovated Guggenheim Museum would remain grey, rather than reverting to the original color of the building selected by Frank Lloyd Wright.
• When striking writers from The Late Show with David Letterman aren't picketing they keep busy blogging.
• The painting that was rescued from the trash by a vigilant dumpster diver with an eye for art was sold at auction for more than $1 million.
• The new biodegradable to-go boxes used by NYU's dining services break down when exposed to heat and moisture. Unfortunately, that means food served hot and moist causes the boxes to leak almost immediately.
• Queens civic leaders want to preserve the Sunnyside Arch. The city's Municipal Arts Commission says that the arch should be redesigned and made more kitschy.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted yesterday to landmark eight new sites in four of the city's boroughs - the Bronx loses out. City Room details the new landmarks, which include the Lord & Taylor building, the white brick Manhattan House, two homes on Grand St., the Standard Varnish Works Factory building (its owner thinks the designation is bad for business) and the Greek-Revival style Fillette Tyler Mansion in Staten Island and the Voelker-Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden in Queens. There's a more detailed account of LPC's hearing on Monday here. East Village institutions like Webster Hall and the brick and terra-cotta 11th St. bathhouse, among others, are proposed for designation. The Sun's Eliot Brown has more. more ›